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Fari Islands, Ritz-Carlton’s Debut in Maldives Appoints Mafalda Costa Tavares as The Director of Sales & Marketing

Ritz-Carlton’s Debut in Maldives Appoints Mafalda Costa Tavares as The Director of Sales & Marketing
The Ritz-Carlton has appointed Mafalda Costa Tavares as the Director of Sales and Marketing for The Ritz-Carlton Maldives Fari Islands.

The Ritz-Carlton has appointed Mafalda Costa Tavares as the Director of Sales and Marketing for The Ritz-Carlton Maldives Fari Islands. Mafalda Costa Tavares has worked with Ritz-Carlton for over 13 years, debuted as a Guest Services Officer before making her way in Sales and Marketing.

Mafalda is known for her charming hospitality towards colleagues and customers, her commitment and passion towards her job. She graduated from Les Roches Hotel Management School with a B.B.A Honours degree in Hospitality Management. Some of the achievements throughout her career includes ‘Employee of the Year 2009’ at Penha Longa Resort, ‘The Ritz-Carlton EMEA Catering Achievement Award 2012’.

Mafalda joined the pre-opening team of Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ubud, Bali, in 2014. She contributed to the successful launching and positioning of Mandapa as the Director of Sales where she also achieved ‘Leader of the Quarter 2016’. In 2017, Mafalda accepted the role of the Director of Sales and Marketing at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, Thailand, where she won the ‘Marriott International President’s Circle Award 2018’.

Prior to joining the brand, Mafalda has worked with renowned luxury brands such as Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, The Conrad Brussels Hotel, and Hyatt Regency Dubai.

Fari Islands is part of Marriott International. Marriott International currently operates The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa, W Maldives, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, and the JW Marriott Maldives Resort and Spa.

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Marriott International Celebrates Second Wave of Graduates in Maldives Apprenticeship Program

Marriott International Celebrates Second Wave of Graduates in Maldives Apprenticeship Program

On April 19, 2025, Marriott International celebrated the success of 31 apprentices who graduated from the second batch of its Maldives Apprenticeship Program. The special ceremony took place at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and featured key dignitaries, including Hon. Ibrahim Waheed, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, along with other officials from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT). Additionally, Mark Fletcher, Marriott’s Area Director of Human Resources for Singapore and the Maldives, also attended to acknowledge the graduates’ achievements.

Hon. Ibrahim Waheed highlighted the program’s role in empowering the youth of the Maldives, commenting, “Today, we celebrate 31 apprenticeship graduates. These are 31 futures redefined—each a testament to what happens when opportunity meets action. To our apprentices, you step forward as ambassadors of possibility. And to Marriott International, thank you for not just supporting this program, but for championing it—your commitment to mentorship and local capacity building is truly admirable.”

A Collaborative Effort in Hospitality Training

The Marriott Apprenticeship Program is a collaborative effort between Marriott International, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, and MIT. This 10-month program provides participants with a well-rounded education that includes theoretical lessons at MIT and hands-on experience at various Marriott resorts across the Maldives. Specifically, the apprentices received training in several key hospitality sectors, including front office operations, culinary arts, food and beverage service, and housekeeping.

By partnering with the Maldivian government, Marriott became the first international hospitality brand to support such an apprenticeship initiative in the country, reinforcing its dedication to developing local talent. In this way, the program supports Marriott’s broader mission to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the fast-growing Maldivian tourism industry.

Practical Experience Across Marriott’s Maldives Resorts

The apprentices completed their theoretical training at MIT before gaining practical experience at Marriott’s luxurious properties in the Maldives, such as The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands; The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort; JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa; W Maldives; Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa; Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa; and The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort.

True to the company’s guiding principle of “We Put People First,” Marriott focuses on helping young professionals grow and succeed. As a result of their hard work, all the graduates received Level-3 certification, officially recognized by the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA). This certification acknowledges their successful completion of both the academic and practical components of the program, preparing them for careers in the hospitality industry.

Looking Ahead to a Bright Future

Mark Fletcher reflected on the program’s origins, noting, “When we launched this program in 2023, it was envisioned as a pilot, a leap of faith, grounded in belief. A belief in crafting talents of Maldivian youth, belief in the strength and collaboration, and belief in Marriott’s commitment to “take care” – not just our people but the communities where we serve. What began as an initiative is now a movement, and Marriott International is proud to be the first international hospitality brand to officially launch such apprenticeship program in the Maldives”

Ultimately, this graduation marks a key milestone in Marriott’s efforts to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Maldives’ tourism industry by fostering a talented and skilled local workforce. Marriott looks forward to watching its graduates embark on successful careers and continue playing an essential role in the growth of the country’s hospitality sector.

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